Basic Large Animal Rescue and Responder Safety

The Awareness level class we offer focuses on key concepts that are already utilized by protective services but should be examined and implemented in a different light. The topics we introduce are designed to spur thought, interest, and enthusiasm in dealing with Large Animal Response by discussing the animals’ behavior and their responses to the actions taken by rescuers, general and critical concepts such as immediately available containment, some direct manipulation techniques, and an overview of trailer incident management. A general overriding theme of the talk is safety for our personnel, the public, and the animals we are trying to help. Some of the topics and instruction begin to introduce Operations level guidelines but are limited to safety concepts and increasing efficiency while on the scene.

The training is accomplished in two sections: The Awareness level guidelines are covered through a PowerPoint lecture while the hands-on portion, utilizing 960-pound articulated training mannequins, will start to discuss Operation level guidelines.

This format fits into a Fire department evening training or a half day session at your facility, and is not limited in the number of individuals that can take part, but 15-40 individuals are optimal.

If your department is interested in completing this training, please contact us to set up a session.

A comprehensive, multi-day training

This course is for individuals and departments that are looking to move their department into an Operations or Technician level understanding of Large Animal Rescue. Concepts that are discussed in Awareness level trainings are expanded upon, with additional emphasis on unique challenges faced in LAR situations. Significant emphasis is placed on hands-on training, which, through exposure and repetition, increases participants’ comfort and understanding of emergency situations affecting large animals.

Hands-on Practical Learning Includes:

• Utilization of equipment (rescue knots, emergency halter, vertical lift tie)

• Techniques for rolling, assists, lifts

• Bundling, rescue glide

• Mechanical advantage system

• Rolling/righting a trailer

Course Topics Include:

• Large animal rescue (LAR) history, concepts, community outreach, preparedness, traditional response, and issues surrounding traditional response

• How LAR ties into Incident Command System (ICS)

• Individual LAR roles, including veterinarian, animal control, fire, law enforcement, state, county, owner, animal caregiver, public, and media

• Personnel protection equipment and other equipment

• Approach and arrival to scene

• Animal behavior

• Specific rescue techniques: forward, backward and sideways assist, rollover in confined and unconfined space, lifting for rescue and medical suspension, trailer, mud, ice, water well/hole extractions

• Containment, and adaption of emergency response equipment